Topics: 2002

JPRS Decides to Introduce "LG.JP", a New Second-Level Domain for Local Governments

- Registration Starts in October to Realize Electronic Local Governments in 2003 -

JPRS has announced that it will introduce a new second-level domain "LG.JP" to be used by local authorities. It aims to start then registration of domain names in coming October, taking into account of the launch of the Electronic Government and Electronic Local Governments in 2003. LG.JP domain name is supposed to be registered by local authorities in Japan, and the total number of registrations is expected to reach about 4000.

The introduction of LG.JP second-level domain has been studied by Japan Network Information Center (JPNIC; Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Jun Murai) (*1) and JPRS since last May in response to a request from the Management Conference of Local Government Wide Area Network (LGWAN) (Chairman: Kunio Shinmen, Deputy Director General Department of Planning and Regional Development, Director of IT Strategic Promotion Office, Okayama Prefectural Government), collective decision-making organization of local authorities. On May 31 this year, JPNIC sent JPRS a letter requesting that decisions regarding introduction of LG.JP second-level domain should be made through the appropriate procedures as a result of thorough investigations. Then JPRS started detailed study on the introduction of the new second-level domain. On June 19, JPRS consulted the JP Domain Name Advisory Committee (*2) about the pros and cons of LG.JP introduction and related policies. Careful investigations were thus made from the standpoint of benefits to the Internet community and society as a whole.

On July 8, the JP Domain Name Advisory Committee held its Second Meeting to discuss the above matter. On July 17, the Committee submitted an advisory report (*3) concluding that the introduction of LG.JP is appropriate. In regard to LG.JP operation, the report suggests that registration framework should be decided upon deliberation with the Management Conference of LGWAN. Based upon this report, JPRS decided to introduce LG.JP second-level domain and consulted with the Management Conference of LGWAN. After the consultation, JPRS determined to appoint Local Authorities Systems Development Center (LASDEC; Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Director: Minoru Kobayashi) as the LG.JP registrar. LASDEC had been recommended by the Management Conference for the position because of its ability to coordinate local governments in case of conflict among those governments over a name.

LG.JP second-level domain is a local government equivalent of GO.JP second-level domain, which is for accommodating national government institutions. LG.JP will accommodate all local authorities to realize Electronic Local Governments, allowing users (citizens and businesses) to submit applications and notifications to the authorities over the Internet.

As the JP domain registry, JPRS aims to realize an easy-to-use, value-added environment for JP domain names and makes extensive efforts to address the needs of the Internet community and society.

Related URLs
(*1)Japan Network Information Center (JPNIC)
http://www.nic.ad.jp/en/

(*2)JP Domain Name Advisory Committee
http://jprs.co.jp/en/advisory.html

(*3)JP Domain Name Advisory Committee Report (on request for advice in JPRS-ADV-200202) (in Japanese)
http://jprs.co.jp/advisory/00/JPRS-ADVRPT-2002001.pdf

(*4)Local Authorities Systems Development Center (LASDEC) (in Japanese)
http://www.lasdec.nippon-net.ne.jp/

(*5)Memorandum between JPRS and the Management Conference of LGWAN on the LG.JP Domain (in Japanese)
http://jprs.jp/doc/rule/mou-lgjp.html